Forester 1 - Good Neighbor Authority

About the position

The Forester will perform professional forest management activities under the general supervision of the Good Neighbor Forest Management Supervisor. The incumbent plans, coordinates, and implements projects necessary to sell timber or related products from federal lands. These projects are complex and must be designed on a case-by-case basis to conform to numerous constraints and respond to multiple issues. Each project must be implemented in accordance with The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rules and will require the preparation of document(s) disclosing the adequate level of analysis for each project and may require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. This position would serve a support role for preparation of complex, large-volume forest product sales, timber permits, and other forest product sales. Level 1 Forester will handle the less complex issues; coordinate more closely and require more assistance from direct supervisor. They manage their area budget allocations and ensure they meet their assigned annual yields, while coordinating efforts with other land offices and foresters within their unit.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and evaluate activities on federal lands to provide for the sustainable use of the land and associated resources, and to ensure adherence to state and federal laws and regulations.
• Conduct fieldwork to verify and update records.
• Implement timber sales by administering contracts.
• Assist in administering permits, resource protection plans, resource improvement projects, or implement compliance actions.
• Establish project boundaries.
• Assist in design specifications for aerial and/or ground-based logging systems.
• Design/maintain road systems, stream crossings and bridges or reconstruction specifications for state land and/or adjacent ownership.
• Supervise timber-volume cruise designs and marking with seasonal forestry technicians and supervise and participate in other sale layout activities.
• Implement Land Management Plans and ensure compliance with NEPA design features and silvicultural prescriptions.
• Inventory and monitor land resources to assess conditions, trends and concerns.
• Prepare technical written reports concerning the impact of projects and prepare all sale-package documents for Land Office and Good Neighbor Bureau review and distribution.
• Work within assigned allocation of budget and capital while ensuring harvest goals are met.
• Respond to inquiries or requests for technical assistance regarding the development, interpretation or implementation of rules, regulations and department programs.
• Participate in public hearings, monitor input from industry, affected groups and the public, obtain data and recommend strategies or actions.
• Mitigate disputes with private landowners, contractors or general public, escalating when needed.
• Determine and oversee forest restoration treatments on assigned parcels including thinning, timber stand improvement hazard and fuels reduction, weed spraying, road maintenance needs and planting after timber sales or as needed.
• Perform activities in wildland-fire management that relate to the responsibilities of the Unit; coordinate non-complex burns with county and burn plans.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Forest Management or a related resource management field.
• One year of job-related professional forest management experience.
• Knowledge of forest management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of equipment and techniques used in forest management projects and operations.
• Knowledge of forest practices and hazard reduction laws, Administrative Rules, standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures related to forest management operations and activities.
• Considerable knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act and related laws and rules governing natural resource management.
• Knowledge of terminology, principles, methods and approaches used in silviculture, ecology, hydrology, wildlife and fisheries biology.
• Specific knowledge of plant taxonomy, habitat typing, timber cruising, log scaling, harvesting systems, data collection and sampling techniques; road design and layout; fire behavior, fire suppression techniques, land surveying and timber appraisal procedures.
• Skill in the use and operation of tools, equipment and vehicles used in wildland fire control, forest management activities and field office operations.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to individuals, groups and representatives from other organizations.
• Ability to coordinate and direct multiple resources to complete work objectives, work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work well with others and maintain a positive working environment.
• Ability to pass an arduous pack test and perform vigorous physical activity in all types of weather.

Nice-to-haves

• Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Benefits

• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays
• Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage
• Retirement Plans
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)